Oxxo Convenience Stores Shut Down in Nuevo Laredo Amid Cartel Threats

In a significant move, Oxxo, one of Mexico's largest convenience store chains, has closed nearly 200 locations in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, following threats from the Cartel Del Noreste faction of Los Zetas. The closures, which began last Thursday, highlight the escalating violence and lawlessness in the region, where drug cartels exert considerable control over daily life. The Tamaulipas government has struggled to address the rampant cartel activity, leaving businesses vulnerable to intimidation. FEMSA, the corporation that operates Oxxo stores, issued a brief statement attributing the closures to the violence in the area, describing the action as a temporary measure. Company officials, speaking anonymously, revealed ongoing discussions with Mexican authorities to find a resolution that would allow them to reopen their stores. The situation escalated after the CDN-Los Zetas presented a list of demands to the company, which included allowing cartel members to use store premises for surveillance and selling smuggled goods. The refusal to comply with these demands led to threats of violence from the cartel, prompting the closure of 191 stores and seven gas stations. Nuevo Laredo has become a stronghold for the CDN-Los Zetas, which operates with little to no interference from local law enforcement. The cartel's dominance is evident as they patrol the city in armed convoys, further underscoring the challenges faced by both businesses and government officials in the region.